Waiting for offer of ill health retirement

Hi, I'm currently waiting for the outcome for my request of early retirement on medical grounds; general practitioner and consultant reports have gone in and I'm now waiting for the independent Dr to make a decision on whether I get it and if I do, what level I will get .
I'm 47 and suffer from systemic sclerosis , I feel relieved about not having to struggle with work but nervous about the future; I've worked since I was 14 in some way shape or form, but at least now I can take each day at my pace and rest when I need to.
Has anyone else taken retirement on ill health grounds?
Winnie97

I'm afraid I have no first hand advice to give you, but I know we have other members, including Amanda, who have taken early retirement due to Scleroderma and I'm sure they'll be along to help and advise you.

Boy do I remember going through this process! I applied in I think February or March 2008, never had to be seen by Capita (the organisation dealing with at the time) they accepted reports from the Royal Free etc. and in October 2008 I received notification of my retirement.

Having worked for the same organisation for 20 years and being only 40 years old I was desperate for my pension, not just for the money but to validate my time there. No pension would have meant I had wasted 20 years of hard work, of my life.

I am proud to have been a pensioner at 40, particularly in view of the current economic climate and of course the possibility that I may not live to the age of 60 so all those contributions could have been wasted!

It is a huge relief once you get it and I expect you will, make sure you enjoy it and let us know so we can celebrate with you.

I also got IHR at the age of 52 and like Amanda didn't have to have a medical. I applied in April with supporting letters from my GP, consultant and OH doctor and was given my pension in August at the higher tier. It was an unbelievable sense of relief when it came through! I have felt so much better since I retired because I know I can rest etc. when I need to.